If you’ve seen one of these unique, handsome looking bottles around and wondered at the backstory, it goes back quite to the early 20th century and has its roots in the Post-Prohibition era. The steinie bottle, as it is called, was actually a response from the glass industry which sought to make their bottle products cheaper to compete with the emerging use of cans in the beer industry. When beer brewers were bouncing back from the Prohibition era and needed affordable and reliable containers to hold their products, the steinie bottle answered the call.
Now, Miller Lite, distributed by Indiana Beverage, are bringing that style and classic sophistication back to Northwest Indiana stores for all to enjoy. You can learn more about the in-depth history here: https://sha.org/bottle/beer.htm#Stubby%20styles
In line with the time when they were originally manufactured, they were made with the intention of being reused, and were therefore made with heavy glass. During World War Two, this reusability was especially vital as materials were in short supply and conservation rules were much stricter to help with the war effort. This usage carried on into the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s and were used on Miller products like High Life, Genuine Draft as well as Lite, but were eventually phased out for the modern long-neck bottles we have all come to know.
Now, they are just a stylish blast from the past that reminds us of a little bit of what our beer loving ancestors went through over the years and gives our favorite beverage a little extra flair.
If you’re a fan of Miller Light and want to take a potable trip back to the 1970’s, which is when Miller Lite was launched in the iconic steinie bottle, then keep a lookout on Northwest Indiana shelves for the bottle’s reappearance!
Learn More about the reintroduction of the Miller Lite steinie bottle here: http://www.millercoorsblog.com/news/miller-lite-steinie-bottle/
